– IFL & PRIDE PAY TRIBUTE TO RYAN BENNETT

by Mick Hammond – MMAWeekly.com
With the news of MMAWeekly co-founder Ryan Bennett passing away last Wednesday, many stepped up to show their support and condolences for Ryan. On last Sunday night’s Pride and IFL broadcasts on pay-per-view and Fox Sports Net, respectively, both organizations paid tribute to Ryan.

During the broadcast of the IFL’s Team Tournament Finals, an image of Ryan was displayed prior to the event recap near the end of the show, with broadcast team member Kenny Rice speaking on behalf of the IFL.

Pride opened its show with silence and an image of Ryan in letterbox format prior to the now familiar Bushido opening. After the show intro, broadcasters Mauro Ranallo and Frank Trigg both spoke about Ryan’s passing from their broadcast position at ringside.

Ranallo spoke for Pride and then turned it over to an understandably solemn Trigg, who spoke of how Ryan got him into broadcasting and said, “Ryan, I will miss you not only as one of my best friends, but as my mentor.”

MMAWeekly would like to thank both the IFL and Pride FC for their condolences and tributes to Ryan on their broadcasts last weekend.